Iconic ’90s gay adult film star Hank Hightower (whose real name was Henry Robert Hightower) has passed away. He was 57 years old.
Hightower’s close friend, Jeff Yarbrough, shared the sad news on Facebook yesterday, along with several photos of Hightower in his younger years.
“I was jolted awake by a text early this morning. One of the (few) special guys in my life lost a health battle today,” Yarbrough wrote. “Hank and I lived large, hard, and fast at an appropriate time for all that–late 1990s–after a sh*t ton of our friends had died of AIDS.”
“As per his wishes, he died at home surrounded by his two pups. He passed peacefully. Memorial details will be sent in a few weeks. … I will always hold you close, HH, and happy trails.”
Born in California on October 12, 1966, Hightower appeared in dozens of adult films throughout the ’90s and early ’00s before eventually retiring and dedicating much of his time to animal rescue efforts.
He was known for his scruffy goatee and furry chest, as well as his ability to effortlessly switch from playing a dom leather top to more a submissive persona.
Some of his adult film credits include “Buttsluts of Leather,” “Bathhouse Bears,” “Dominique’s Bi Adventure,” and “Total Corruption 2: One Night In Jail.”
Friends and fans of Highwater, who had reportedly been battling cancer, have been remembering him on Twitter X this week.
RIP.
DarkZephyr
I remember looking at him when I was just a teenager in high school and thinking he was SO handsome and sexy. This IS sad news.
Pietro D
I might not know that much about gay porn stars as I’m just 22 but from all I’ve read or seen on the news, internet and other outlets, it’s quite incredible how many gay porn stars have died from suicide or at still a relatively young age. The porn industry, surely has a part in all the early deaths. Way before even born, once the AIDS eoidemic hit, Gay Porn Stars were liteally wipt off the face of the earth, so many from 80’s, 90’s and beyond succumbing to the epidemic, my point being there’s a very horrible, dark side to the gay porn industry yet tons of 18 year olds jump into the industry as soon as they are legal. I think that’s realatively sad.
linedrive
I certainly won’t argue with what you said. The industry seems to ruin so many of these guys. But it sounds as though Mr. Hightower’s death, at least, was unrelated to his porn career.
Matt in SD
He retired from porn 20 years ago and died of cancer. Why are you trying to shame him indirectly by bringing this up?
DarkZephyr
Pietro, your comment doesn’t fit with the circumstances of this man’s death. It also speaks to a stunning lack of understanding of the history of the AIDs epidemic. It wasn’t just porn stars that were wiped out. Sexually active gay men in general died by the scores. You may as well just come out and say that AIDS is a punishment from God for homosexuality.
FRE0
Pietro, I share your opinion of the gay porn industry. However the particular porn star who recently died had retired from porn for many years before he died so it seems unlikely that porn had anything to do with his death.
But it’s not only porn which is a problem. I’ve been called immature and other names for not being willing to jump into bed with someone I don’t even know. Even though I’ve been a gay activist I really don’t seem to fit. I seem to be an outlier. I’m not about to tell others how to live their lives but many times I’ve wished that it was possible to get to know someone well before getting physical. I suppose that Aspergers syndrome is part of my problem, but at least I don’t have to worry about getting an infection.
Fname Optional Lname
This article is about him, not your distorted views on the porn industry or the AIDS epidemic.
SPEEDOSWIMMER
RIP, HH.
FreddieW
Never heard of him, but he was very handsome. If someone attends the funeral and the obituary mentions “Buttsluts of Leather”, please send me a copy because I’m sure that would make an awesome story.
Joseph1971
His health was unrelated to having performed in adult videos. He didn’t overdose or commit suicide. Not everyone who has worked in porn passes from AIDS, or drug related issues. Sometimes life just takes people early, and that was the case in his passing.
RIP HH.
GayEGO
So sad, he was a sexy dude!